Celtic expected 3-5-2 v Dundee: Attacker duo axed

Celtic return to competitive action on Saturday when they host Dundee at Celtic Park and Brendan Rodgers is expected to make two changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Hibs.

Attacking midfielder Johnny Hayes and 19-year old striker Odsonne Edouard should drop out of the starting XI with Scott Sinclair and Leigh Griffiths coming in to replace them.

The Hoops have already faced Dundee this season, comfortably beating Neil McCann’s side in the League Cup quarter-finals, and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten domestic run to 59 games.

Craig Gordon is almost certain to retain his place between the sticks after picking up his 50th cap for Scotland during the international break.

Ahead of Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Mikael Lustig and Dedryck Boyata should make up Celtic’s three-man defence in their 3-5-2 formation.

With Scott Brown looking set to miss the game at the time of writing, Tom Rogic may need to overcome jet-lag after travelling halfway across the planet to represent Australia earlier this week.

Rogic is likely to be partnered in the middle of the park by Olivier Ntcham and Callum McGregor – although Nir Bitton could take the Aussie’s place if Rodgers thinks the travel has been a step too far for Rogic.

Scott Sinclair and James Forrest should take their usual places on the flanks for the Hoops and, despite Patrick Roberts’ form, the pair have arguably been Celtic’s biggest creative threat so far this season.

France Under-21 striker Moussa Dembele looks to have finally overcome his fitness concerns and should lead the line for Rodgers’ side alongside Leigh Griffiths.

The pair were rarely used together last term as Rodgers preferred a 4-2-3-1 system however this season – in domestic games at least – he’s been using two strikers more often than not and it’s unlikely that Griffiths would find himself bombed out like he has previously to accommodate Dembele.